Posted by Vita on August 15, 2000 at 18:54:42:
In Reply to: Magua - Would You Go or Jump? posted by Jeri on August 15, 2000 at 18:33:01:
: Ok ladies, here's the question. Would you have accepted Magua's invitation to step away from the cliff or would you have jumped? I'm a Wes Studi fan, so I'm more than a little biased. In fact, my reply to his invitation would have been 'where'd you park the horse?'..forget the skydive! Seriously though, I know that there's been discussions about whether or not Alice jumped out of sheer terror or out of love of Uncas, but what would you do? Take a chance at life with Magua (as hard as that is to imagine given Magua's character), or choose death with Uncas?
: ..Jeri
Hi Jeri!
Well, in the subject matter, observe that I said : I THINK I would. When I was younger, a blazing romantic, my immediate reply to this question: Oh yes! This wonderful man just gave his life for me, and why did he do that? so that I do not fall into Magua's hands and dubious lust. I say dubious, for surely he would not have been a loving, considerate husband to this virgin English Rose whose father he had killed in a most brutal manner. In real life as well as fiction, the chances for Alice surviving the first month of her 'wedding' to Magua, would be slim, and that is putting it mildly.
What I am saying is that at her age, I'd have prefered jumping to being raped and most likely killed, by Magua. In my thirties,however, I might have been more crafty, and surrendered with the hopes of sticking a knife in his gut one quiet night and thus avenging Papa and Beloved.
In my late forties, early fifties... hmmm... I think having known the unpredictability of life, the wretchedness of people, and well aware of my miniscule chances of killing this strong, intelligent, athletic man I think I would prefer to jump again....
Cheers to the Wisdom of Old Age!